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# Edit your group's wiki: Find your group's Wiki template in one of the '''Lab Write-Up''' sections. There are further instructions there. Be creative and have fun editing!<br><br>

# Edit your group's wiki: Find your group's Wiki template in one of the '''Lab Write-Up''' sections. There are further instructions there. Be creative and have fun editing!<br><br>

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==THE DNA LABS IN REVIEW==

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===Set-up: OpenPCR Building===

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<div style="background-color: #F0F0FF; padding: 10px;">

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Before this unit began, a group of ~10 upper level undergrads and graduate students assembled the [http://openpcr.org/ OpenPCR] machines. This was a great experience for the graduate students, and saved our Freshmen engineers the time and trouble of assembling the delicate pieces from scratch in a very limited amount of time. Thanks to our assembly team and Dr. Pizziconi's Design Studio team for your help!

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===Week 1: Introduction - DNA as a Biomarker, 10/17/12===

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<div style="background-color: #F0F0FF; padding: 10px;">

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Students were introduced to basic DNA science and its relationship to diagnostics and health. '''Sequence-specific DNA hybridization''' uses primers designed to base-pair with a target disease-associated marker. This leads to exponential amplification of an invisible DNA target. A mismatch (non-disease DNA sequence) does not produce amplification. Team members chose roles as '''Open PCR machine tester/ engineer''', '''Experimental protocol planner''', and '''Research and development scientist'''.

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[[Image:BME103_f2012_PCRreactions.png‎|thumb|450px|right|Snapshot of the worksheet for planning PCR reactions.]]

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In concurrent work sessions...

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* '''Open PCR machine testers''' partially disassembled, reassembled, and tested the OpenPCR thermal cycler with the guidance of a worksheet and the OpenPCR machine manual.

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* '''Experimental protocol planners''' planned a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) protocol for the Open PCR system and programmed the machine for thermal cycling with the guidance of a worksheet.

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* '''Research and development scientists''' learned how the Polymerase Chain Reaction works so that they could explain the process to their teammates. This was done with the guidance of the instructor and the [http://openpcr.org/use-it/ OpenPCR Virtual Lab] tutorial.

Image:Primersattaching112493.png|Short pieces off DNA called primers can be designed specifically bind to a target DNA sequence. Image: [http://openwetware.org/wiki/BME103:T130_Group_5 Thurs 1:30pm Group 5]

Image:AmplifiedDNA112493.png|Taq polymerase produces several copies of the DNA which can be visualized with a fluorescent dye. Image: [http://openwetware.org/wiki/BME103:T130_Group_5 Thurs 1:30pm Group 5]

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===Week 2: DNA Amplification Reactions, 10/24/12===

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<div style="background-color: #F0F0FF; padding: 10px;">

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Students used their experience from the previous week to set up and run a PCR experiment. The students were provided with personal protective equipment, 8 tubes of 50 μL PCR reaction mix, 8 tubes of 50 μL diluted template + primers, and disposable transfer pipettes. The instructors provided positive and negative "patient" samples so that some samples would test positive for a DNA marker (produce amplification), and others would test negative (no amplification). '''Experimental protocol planners''' set up and ran the PCR reactions. These were set aside to run for ~2 hours.

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Students were introduced to a '''Single Drop Fluorimeter''' fluorescence-based DNA detection device that was designed by Dr. Garcia. When a natural or PCR-amplified double-stranded DNA sample is stained with SYBR green and exposed to a blue LED light, the drop fluoresces green. The signal is captured as an image with the user's '''camera phone'''.

[[Image:HALEY.png|‎thumb|250px|right|The Open PCR Solidworks file shows all of the features of the machine. Image: [http://openwetware.org/wiki/BME103:T130_Group_2 Thurs 1:30pm Group 2]]]

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Students were instructed on navigating the NCBI dsSNP database to find disease-associated SNP's and disease prediction information. Students were also introduced to Wiki web page editing.

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Concurrent work sessions:

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* '''Open PCR machine engineers''' used [http://www.solidworks.com/ SolidWorks] to explore the computer-aided design file of the Open PCR system (provided by Josh Perfetto, Open PCR).

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* '''Experimental protocol planners''' added the protocols for the Polymerase Chain Reaction and Fluorimeter Measurements to their group’s Wiki page.

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* '''Research and development scientists''' reported information that makes it clear to a non-specialist why a cancer mutation gives a positive PCR signal, and why a non-cancer sequence gives no signal.

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</div>

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===Week 4: Measuring DNA Using Fluorescence, 11/7/12===

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<div style="background-color: #F0F0FF; padding: 10px;">

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Samples were mixed with SYBR green dye and analyzed on Single Drop Fluorimeters. Students used 2 μg/mL purified calf thymus DNA to calibrate the DNA measurement process. Using this value, they were able to convert the PCR results from brightness into DNA concentration. Summaries of their results are available on the [http://openwetware.org/wiki/BME103:Projects '''Lab Report 1'''] page.

Information about the human single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/SNP/snp_ref.cgi?rs=17879961 rs17879961] was used to demonstrate how sequence-specific DNA hybridization could be used to detect a disease-linked DNA marker (allele). The SNP is a missense mutation on chromosome 22 that replaces a Thymine with a Cytosine. The mutation affects gene CHK2, and is linked to colorectal cancer.

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[http://openwetware.org/wiki/BME103:Projects '''Lab Report 1''']: Each team created a [http://openwetware.org/wiki/BME103:Projects Wiki page write-up] of their learning experiences.

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===Week 5: Designing a New System, 11/14/12===

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<div style="background-color: #F0F0FF; padding: 10px;">

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The class discussed some of the strengths and areas for possible improvement of the DNA amplification and detection system. Each team then conceptualized a new DNA detection system based on OpenPCR and the Single Drop Fluorimeter.

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Concurrent work sessions:

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* '''Open PCR machine engineers''' used SolidWorks to identify, illustrate, and describe a portion of the OpenPCR system their team proposes to improve/ redesign.

[http://openwetware.org/wiki/BME103:Projects2 '''Lab Report 2''']: Each team created a [http://openwetware.org/wiki/BME103:Projects2 Wiki page write-up] of their machine designs and protocols.

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===Week 6 & 7: Advertisement Videos, 11/28/12 & 12/6/12===

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<div style="background-color: #F0F0FF; padding: 10px;">

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The instructors presented PCR and DNA detection systems that are currently on the market. The systems included super-compact personal PCR machines to very large systems that were capable of both amplifying and measuring the levels of DNA in real time.

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[http://openwetware.org/wiki/BME103:Projects3 '''Lab Report 3''']: Each team created an [http://openwetware.org/wiki/BME103:Projects3 advertisement video] for their new system. These videos were showcased in class.

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===How Well Did OpenPCR + Single Drop Imaging Perform?===

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<div style="background-color: #F0F0FF; padding: 10px;">

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The instructors compared traditional gel electrophoresis with the results from the new single drop Fluorimeter approach. Each '''Sample''' either has template DNA or is blank. Only DNA Samples should produce amplification (visible band as a '''Gel''' result, or high '''Fluorimeter''' value). The OpenPCR system successfully amplified products of the expected size, and the Single Drop Fluorimeter measurements agreed with gel electrophoresis data. Overall, the system is a success.

Current revision

Body Temperature Lab Learning Objectives: Students will learn to design a thermal shirt to monitor body temperature and to ascertain and develop to a market a unique solution with benefits over state-of-the-art technologies. Students will identify those technologies and highlight their improvements in the design. Accuracy of the thermo shirt will be assessed by calculating accuracy and reproducibility of the new thermal shirt and comparing these values to a gold standard, such as an oral or tympanic thermometer.

DNA Lab Learning Objectives: Students should leave this unit equipped with a theoretical understanding of how to detect DNA biomarkers and the relevance of this technology to human healthcare. Emphasis will be on good lab/experimental controls and the collection of statistically valid measurements. Students will also understand how commonly used lab devices function, and explore the recent efforts to simplify experiments and to lower costs. At the end of the section, students will explore creative new biosensor designs based on PCR and fluorescent imaging.